The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-05-18
MIR. GRENFELL,s ROMANCE


n Famous missionary w no MArrt60 tAS
Of Afrfca's Dusky Daughters
Probably no missionary in the world
has been so prominently before the
public in the last two years as the Rev.
George Grenfell of the Baptist Congo
Missions. His name viii always be as
sociated with the exploration of most
of the Congo tributaries that are now
known He has not only seen more of
the Congo basin than any other man.
but he is also a careful observer. a
good route surveyor, and fairly well
skilled in the use of geographical in
struments- The geographical societies
of England, France. and Germany
have sought for and published contri-
buttons from him. and there is no
doubt that. next TO Livingstone and
krapf, he deservedly ranks among the
foremost of Africa's missionary travel
ers.
Perhaps few of the thousand who
have read the reports of his interesting
journeys are aware that Mr.. Grenfell,
who is a thorough Enghshman, is the
husband of native of Africa. His
wife is a colored woman. originally
heather, whose tribe has for many
years inhabited the Atlantic coast, a
little north of the Congo He is, per-
haps, the only white missionary in
Africa who has married a native.
This strange marriage is said to have
come about in this way: Few mission
aries in Africa have had Grenfell's
large and varied experience, though he
is still in the prime of life. Before we
heard of him on the Congo at all he
told us much about the Cameroons
country, which the Germans have since
annexed. Grenfell is one of the few
mes who seem to be perfectly adapted
for such life rs he is leading. He loves
his wild surroundings. he loves the
explorers toilsome life, he seems TO en-
dure the climate rs well as native, and
his heart is thoroughly enlisted in the
work of Christian missions. While
geographers have been reading and
writing about the new regions and
tribes he has revealed to the world, he
has looked upon these new coun-
tries chiefly as new fields for mission
arv enterprises.
Grenfell made up his mind not long
ago that he was destined to live and
die in Africa. He decided. it is said,
after long reflection, that il would
greatly impair his usefulness if he
took a wife from among the fair daugh-
ters of his native land. He had good
reason to doubt that he would be
lucky enough TO find white woman
who could endure as well as he the
climate of the torrid zone. He had
not the slightest desire to marry any
body whose life or health would be
sacrificed if he took her to Africa. or
for whom he might have to sacrifice his
life work by going back to England
with her. He therefore decided when
he married to wed native of the
country.
In the course of time Grenfell met
his fate at the mission station and
trading-post of Kabinda, on the coast
not far north of the mouth of the Con-
go. He saw among the mission con-
verts a bright young woman who had
received a fair education in the mis-
sion school of Kabinda. She was a
comely girl. She had been instructed
for years in the arts of housewifery by
the mission ladies, dressed in the garb
of her civilized sisters, was neat and
industrious, and devout Christian.
She was, iii fact, in her changed con-
dition, one of the best products of
missionary labor. Grenfell believed
she would make good helpmeet in
his future arduous work as a pioneer
missionary. In due time they were
married. and from that day to this.
| Grenfell's friends say, he has had no
reason to regret the very unusual
choice he made.
1t can be said. on the authority of
Henry NJ Stanley, that the two babies
who have been born to Mr.. and Mrs.
| Grenfell are beautiful little children.
The home of the Grenfells is on
| Stanley Pool. but until the last year
they have not been there much of the
time Mrs. Gren1ell and one of the
| children accompaA led the missionary
on some of the adventurous Journeys
in which he has explored over 5000
miles of the navigable waters of the
| Congo basin. She sat unperturbed
and very comfortable behind the wire
| SCTeeH Indt Ndlutu ph ihc SIioNVto Va
arrows which were launched at the
little steamer Peace by the hostile ma
tives of the Mobangi river.
A writer, who evidently had moi
| heard of Mr.. Grenfelfs little romance.
recently mentioned as proof of the
fact that white ladies can retain theiI
health and vigor on the Congo that the
missionary Grenfell was accompanied
on his long journey by his excellent
| wife.-Neeo York ISun.